A violent inmate who threw boiling water mixed with sugar over a prison officer, causing permanent injuries, has been sentenced to a further 17 years in prison.
Premeditated Attack at HMP Peterborough
Tony McDonald, 39, was already serving time at HMP Peterborough for grievous bodily harm when he launched the brutal and calculated attack on 31 July 2023.
The court heard that McDonald had been waiting with a bin full of hot water when the female officer responded to a personal alarm from a colleague. As soon as she arrived, he threw the entire contents over her, causing agonising burns and permanent scarring.
A second male officer was also injured when McDonald attacked him, resulting in a broken wrist.
Victim Left with Permanent Scarring
Judge Mark Bishop, sentencing at Huntingdon Law Courts, said the female officer’s injuries would affect her for life.
“She has permanent damage and doubts her career will be able to take her to retirement,” he said.
The officer required specialist burns treatment, including multiple skin graft surgeries, while the male guard suffered burns to his neck, leg, and arm.
Court Rejects McDonald’s Defence
McDonald denied grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, but was found guilty following a trial.
He claimed that “voices in his head” instructed him to attack, but psychiatric assessments found no evidence to support this claim.
Police and Prison Service Condemn Attack
Detective Constable John Pentney, who investigated the case, described the attack as “traumatising” for the victims:
“This was, and remains, a traumatising incident for the victim. While the sentence will not undo the permanent harm caused, it does reflect the seriousness of this unprovoked attack.”
A spokesperson for the Prison Service added:
“Prison officers put themselves at risk every day to maintain safety behind bars. Any attack on them is utterly unacceptable, and we welcome this significant sentence.”
McDonald Sentenced to 17 More Years
Judge Bishop handed McDonald a 17-year sentence, reinforcing the seriousness of his premeditated and brutal assault.
McDonald will serve his new sentence consecutively to his existing prison term, meaning he will spend decades behind bars.
